A pro-life group scheduled a public protest for Saturday, Aug. 25, at a brand-new abortion clinic in Aurora, Ill., as part of an around-the-clock, 40-day prayer vigil the group has maintained since Aug. 9. Led by Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, the prayer vigil and protest are attempts by the group to stop the opening of what would be one of the nation’s largest Planned Parenthood facilities.
“Churches of all denominations from throughout the Chicago area are taking part in the 40-Day vigil, which is already bringing forth miracles of conversion in the community,” said Eric Scheidler, communication director for the Pro-Life Action League.
The vigil has drawn Christian groups together to pray, fast and participate in sidewalk counseling. Organizers said their efforts would continue through the clinic’s scheduled opening on Sept 18. Scheidler noted the “Gemini Medical Office Building”—which some call the “Abortion Fortress” due to its high brick walls, bulletproof glass and numerous security cameras—was a name Planned Parenthood used to intentionally veil Aurora’s residents from the construction of the clinic.
“Planned Parenthood snuck into our town—neither the city of Aurora nor many of the contractors working on the building knew what it really was,” said Scheidler, an Aurora resident. “Now they’re going to try to sneak into our schools, drive a wedge between parents and children, and begin killing unborn babies here,” he said. “Not without a fight.”
Hundreds of people have shown up at the abortion clinic to pray and Scheidler said he is optimistic to see the prayer effort expand.
“This is the most powerful grass-roots pro-life effort I’ve ever seen,” he said. “We can scarcely keep track of the prayer pledges coming in.”
The prayer vigil is also being promoted by local and national pro-life groups including the Illinois chapter of Concerned Women of America, Illinois Citizens for Life, Illinois Right to Life, Priests for Life and Operation Rescue. The National Organization for Women (NOW) has promised to counter-protest.
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